The two activists covered the painting – which is covered by a sheet of glass – with two cans of soup before sticking it to the wall of the Trafalgar Square gallery for the group’s 14th day of civil unrest this month .
After covering the estimated £74.8m painting, one campaigner shouted: “What’s worth more? Is it art or is it life?”
Just Stop Oil has organized a series of protests after the North Sea Transitional Authority approved 100 new oil and gas projects in September. As a result, the Met Police have said that 376 activists have been arrested over the previous 13 days.
The two activists involved in Friday’s protest have been arrested for criminal damage and aggravated rape and are currently being “unbonded”, the Met Police said.
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In a statement published on the Just Stop Oil website, Phoebe Plummer, 21, from London, said: “The cost of living crisis is driven by fossil fuels – everyday life has become unaffordable for millions of starving families in the cold – they can’t even afford to heat up a can of soup.
“Meanwhile, crops are failing and people are dying in overfed monsoons, massive wildfires and endless droughts caused by climate disruption. We can’t afford new oil and gas, it will take everything.
“We will look back and mourn all that we have lost unless we act immediately.”
Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle said millions of people are being forced to starve because of the continued approval of oil and gas projects.
He adds: “Somalia is now facing an apocalyptic famine, caused by drought and fueled by the climate crisis. Millions are forced to move and tens of thousands face starvation.”
Ahead of Friday’s protest, a police chief said 376 Just Stop Oil protesters had been arrested for blocking roads and stopping traffic in central London over the past 13 days.
Commander Karen Findlay told the Standard she is now considering seeking court orders against repeat offenders who cause misery by sticking their hands together or sitting on the tarmac to stop drivers, including emergency vehicles.
More than 200 officers a day police the demonstrations, diverting 7,000 Met hours from fighting violent crime and other priorities.
But Commander Findlay warned frustrated motorists against “self-policing” by hitting activists in their vehicles or dragging them away.
He said: “We do not tolerate crime or anti-social behavior in any way. We are very concerned about the impact on people coming to London.
“While we clearly facilitate protests, the concern is also about controlling protracted protests. Resources are being taken away from policing local communities and focused on London’s priorities, such as reducing knife crime.” .